NAACP Spokane: Building Restorative Communities
NAACP Spokane: Building Restorative Communities
NAACP Spokane: Building Restorative Communities is an initiative of the NAACP Spokane Branch. The vision of the Building Restorative Communities (BRC) Initiative of the Spokane Branch of the NAACP is to build thriving communities by creating pathways for conflict ownership, accountability, and healing. We accomplish this through public education about restorative justice principles, facilitating spaces where individuals can bring their collective wisdom – through storytelling, dialogue, and communal experiences – to explore whether and how to apply restorative practices in their own lives, families, schools, neighborhoods, communities, and throughout the world. We convene spaces and connections for building relationships, sharing resources, practicing and enhancing skills, and continuing to learn and reflect on restorative ways of being.
Background
2024 The Spokane Branch of the NAACP began this Building Restorative Communities (BRC) initiative with a generous grant from Empire Health Foundation (now Waters Meet) in March 2024. We held our first public event that following June. In our first year the BRC has exponentially grown becoming embedded in community, including working with organizations like Spokane Public Schools, Spokane Community College, Everyday Mentors, The Locked in Fathers Alliance, the YWCA, and many others.
Goals and Mission
The program’s mission is to:
- Address racial disparities in Spokane.
- Create restorative practices for schools, workplaces, and communities.
- Build stronger partnerships between community organizations, government institutions, and individuals.
- Empower BIPOC communities through leadership development and advocacy.
- Promote racial healing and reconciliation.
Initiatives
"Building Restorative Communities" includes:
- Educational Workshops – Public forums and training sessions on restorative justice, anti-racism, and equity.
- Youth Engagement – Programs that encourage young people to engage in leadership, mentorship, and advocacy.
- Community Healing Circles – Facilitated conversations designed to address harm and promote reconciliation.
- Policy Advocacy – Collaborating with local officials to shape policies that reduce racial disparities in housing, education, healthcare, and criminal justice.
Partnerships
The initiative works with schools, nonprofits, and grassroots organizations, including groups focused on housing justice, community safety, and equity in education. Partnerships strengthen the impact of restorative practices and broaden the program’s reach across Spokane.
See also
